Objective To investigate the improved reduction technique for depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau and its effectiveness. Methods Between January 2008 and December 2010, 48 patients (48 knees) with depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker II or III fractures) were treated. There were 32 males and 16 females with an average age of 45.8 years (range, 16-79 years). All fractures were fresh closed fractures, which were caused by traffic accident in 27 cases, by falling from height in 5 cases, by crushing in 8 cases, and by sustained falls in 8 cases. According to Schatzker classification, 29 cases were classified as type II and 19 cases as type III. The lateral cortex was cut off to expose the depression and compacted cancellous bone was elevated to reset the articular surface. After reduction, autologous iliac bone graft and locking plate internal fixation were used. Results Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in all patients, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 1.7 years on average (range, 1-3 years). At last follow-up, the knee extension was ( — 0.5 ± 0.3)°, and the knee flexion was (136.9 ± 8.8)°. X-ray films showed that the fracture healing time was 52 weeks and no breakage of internal fixation occurred. According to Rasmussen clinical score, the results were excellent in 35 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 3 cases. According to Rasmussen radiographical score, the results were excellent in 41 cases, good in 7 cases; there were 41 excellent scores and 7 good scores of articular reduction; all gained good recovery of coronal and sagittal alignment and condylar width. The articular surface collapse was (1.0 ± 0.7) mm at immediate postoperatively and (1.2 ± 0.7) mm at last follow-up, showing no significant difference (t= — 1.42, P=0.20), but significant differences were found when compared with that at preoperation [(12.2 ± 8.0) mm, P lt; 0.05]. Conclusion This improved technique can provide a satisfactory effectiveness of fracture reduction and can avoid loss of reduction. The short-term effectiveness is good, but futher follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term results.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of the superior fibular head approach for the treatment of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau. Methods Between June 2010 and February 2012, 20 cases of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau were treated through superior fibular head approach, including 1 case of simple posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau and 19 cases of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau with other fractures. There were 12 males and 8 females with an average age of 42.2 years (range, 28-58 years). All patients had closed fractures. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 14 cases, by falling from height in 4 cases, and by twist injury in 2 cases. Associated injuries included lateral meniscus injury in 5 cases, medial meniscus injury in 2 cases, and anterior cruciate ligament injury in 1 case. The time from injury to admission ranged from 90 minutes to 32 hours (mean, 4.5 hours), and the time from admission to operation was 5-12 days (mean, 7.8 days). All cases underwent fracture reduction and fixation with Pilon plates through the superior fibular head approach, and associated fracture and meniscal injury were treated. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no numbness or articular instability occurred. All patients were followed up 6-26 months (mean, 19.1 months). The average fracture healing time was 10.2 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). During following-up, no related complication of fixation loosening or articular surface loss occurred. According to Rasmussen knee score criteria at last follow-up, the score was 18-30 (mean, 27.9); 16 cases were graded as excellent, 3 cases as good, and 1 case as fair, with an excellent and good rate of 95%. Conclusion The superior fibular head approach for the treatment of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau is simple, safe, and effective, and can achieve a good surgical outcome.
Objective To investigate the biomechanics of a novel injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) composited by poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) combined with double-screw fixation in repairing Schatzker II type tibial plateau fracture, so as to provide the mechanical basis for the clinical minimally invasive treatment. Methods Ten matched pairs of proximal tibia specimens were harvested from 10 elderly cadavers to prepare Schatzker II type tibial plateau fracture model. Fracture was fixed by forcing injection of CPC (experimental group) or autologous cancellous bone (control group) combined with double-screw fixation. The samples underwent axial compression on MTS 858 material testing machine to measure the load-displacement, the maximum load, and compressive stiffness. Results The novel CPC had good injectable property at room temperature, which could fill in bone defect fully and permeated into the surrounding cancellous bone. The average bone mineral density of tibial metaphysis was (0.639 ± 0.081) g/cm2 in the experimental group and (0.668 ± 0.083) g/ cm2 in the control group, showing no significant difference (t=1.012, P=0.331). The maximum load in the experimental group [(4 101 ± 813) N] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(692 ± 138) N] (t=3.932, P=0.001). The compressive stiffness was (1 363 ± 362) N/mm in the experimental group and was (223 ± 54) N/mm in the control group, showing significant difference (t=3.023, P=0.013). Conclusion The novel CPC can effectively restore the biomechanical properties of tibilal plateau in repairing Schatzker II type tibial plateau fracture by means of forcing injection combining with double-screw fixation. It could be used as an effective bone substitute in the clinical application.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation and open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker types II and III tibial plateau fractures. Methods Between August 2006 and April 2010, 58 patients with tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types II and III were treated with arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation (arthroscopy group, n=38), and with open reduction and internal fixation (control group, n=20). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, fracture type, and compl ication between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, incision length, fracture heal ing time, and compl ications were compared between 2 groups. Knee function score and the range of motion were measured according to American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scorestandard. Results All patients achieved primary incision heal ing. The arthroscopy group had smaller incision length andlonger operation time than the control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The patients of 2 groups were followed up 12 to 14 months. At 6 months, the HSS score and the range of motion of the arthroscopy group were significantly greater than those of the control group (P lt; 0.05). The X-ray films showed bony union in 2 groups. The fracture heal ing time of the arthroscopy group was shorter than that of the control group, but no significant difference was found (t=2.14, P=0.41). Morning stiffness occurred in 2 cases (5.3%) of the arthroscopy group, joint pain in 6 cases (30.0%) of the control group (3 cases had joint stiffness) at 1 week, which were cured after symptomatic treatment. There was significant difference in the incidence of compl ications between 2 groups (χ2=6.743, P=0.016). Conclusion The arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation is better than open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types II and III, because it has smaller incision length and shorter fracture heal ing time.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of posterior approaches for the treatment of posterior coronal fractures of tibial plateau, and to analyze the fracture morphology, radiographic features, and the recognition of Schatzker classification. Methods Between June 2003 and June 2009, 23 patients with posterior coronal fractures of tibial plateau were treated surgically by posterior approaches. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 38 years (range, 32-56 years). All patients had closed fractures. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 15 cases, by sports in 3 cases, and by falling from height in 5 cases. According to Moore classification, there were 10 cases of type I, 9 cases of type II, and 4 cases of type IV. The X-ray films, CT scanning, and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed. The time from injury to operation was 3-14 days (mean, 6 days). Results After operation, 17 cases had anatomical reduction and 6 had normal reduction. Incisions healed by first intention. All cases were followed up 12 to 36 months (mean, 24 months). The average fracture healing time was 7.6 months (range, 6-9 months). No related complication occurred, such as nerve and vessel injuries, failure in internal fixation, ankylosis, traumatic osteoarthritis, and malunion. According to Rasmussen’s criteria for the function of the knee, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 91.3%. Conclusion Posterior coronal fracture of tibial plateau is rare, which has distinctive morphological features, and Schatzker classification can not contain it totally. The advantages of posterior approach include reduction of articular surface under visualization, firm fixation, less complications, and earlier functional exercise, so it is an ideal surgical treatment plan.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect of minimally invasive internal fixation percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) assisted by arthroscopy on tibial plateau fractures. Methods From September 2005 to December 2007, 29 patients with tibial plateau fracture underwent arthroscopy-assisted MIPPO, including 18 males and 11 females aged18-59 years old (average 34.7 years old). There were 8 cases of type II, 10 of type III, 5 of type IV, 3 of type V, and 3 of type VI according to Schatzker classification system. The fracture was combined with meniscus injury in 13 cases, anterior cruciate l igament injury in 4 cases, and medial collateral l igament injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2-10 days. Firstly, the combined injury was treated under arthroscopy. Then, reduction of tibial plateau fractures was performed, bone grafting was conducted in the area of bone defect, and internal fixation using strut plates was performed after establ ishing subcutaneous tunnel via minimally invasion. Early rehabil itation activities were carried out for each patient 1 day after operation. Results No early compl ications such as poor heal ing of incisions, infections, and osteofascial compartment syndrome occurred. Over the follow-up period of 12-39 months (average 24 months), there was no failure of internal fixation, traumatic knee osteoarthritis, and inversion and eversion of the knee. The fractures healed within 3-4.5 months (average 3.5 months). The cl inical effect was excellent in 23 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases according to Lysholm knee rating system, and the excellent and good rate was 93.1%. Conclusion Arthroscopy-assisted MIPPO is a safe and effective way of managing tibial plateau fractures due to its features of minimal invasion, earl ier recovery, fewer compl ications, and simultaneous treatment of associated intra-articular injuries.
Objective To observe the cl inical results of treatment of Schatzker V/VI tibial plateau fracture involved posteromedial condyle through combined posteromedial and anterolateral approach and fixed with two or three plates. Methods From April 2005 to April 2008, 18 cases of tibial plateau fracture involved posteromedial condyle were treated, including 14 males and 4 females with an average age of 38.5 years old (range, 18-62 years old). According to Schatzker classification, there were 12 cases of type V and 6 cases of type VI. The posteromedial condyle were involved in 13 cases and bilateral posterior condyle in 5 cases. All patients were given posteromedial fragment and medial condyle fracture reduction through posteromedial approach firstly, and then lateral condyle fracture reduction through anterolateral approach, and injury of meniscuses and cruciate l igaments were treated at the same time. Three plates (lateral, medial, posterior) were used in 10 cases and two plates (lateral, posteromedial) in 8 cases. Results All wounds achieved heal ing by first intention without compl ications such as infection, flap necrosis, osteofascial compartment syndrome, chronic osteomyel itis, nonunion. All patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months with an average of 24.4 months. The mean flexion of the knee was 118.4° (range, 100-130°) 1 year after operation. According to Iowa evaluation system, 12 patients got excellent results, 4 good, and 2 fair; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. Conclusion Combined posteromedial and anterolateral approach and fixed with two or three plates is effective in treatment of the Schatzker V/VI tibial plateau fracture involved posteromedial condyle. Anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation of the posteromedial fragment are critical to successful operation.
Objective To explore the treatment of low-energy tibial plateau fractures with arthroscopic percutaneous osteosynthesis. Methods From May 2004 to April 2008, 27 cases of tibial plateau fractures were treated with arthroscopic management. There were 19 males and 8 females, aged 18-61 years old (mean 41.5 years old). Fracture was caused by trafficaccident in 18 cases, by fall ing from height in 6 cases, by bruise in 2 cases, and by other in 1 case. There were 8 cases of type I, 12 cases of type II, 2 cases of type III and 5 cases of type IV according to Schatzker classification. The time from injury to operation was 3-15 days (mean 5.2 days). After symptomatic managements were performed arthroscopically in 11 cases of meniscus tear, 4 cases of medial collateral l igament rupture of knee joint, 3 cases of anterior cruciate l igament rupture of knee joint and 2 cases of cartilage fracture resulting in joint bodies, fracture was reduced and fixed with 2 or 4 cannulated screws (7 mm in diameter). Autograft of il ium was given 6 cases of bone defect. Early functional exercise was done. Results The operation time was 55-150 minutes (mean 93 minutes); the hospital ization days were 7-22 days (mean 16 days). All incision healed primarily. Edema of the affected leg occurred in all patients and subsided after 3 days of symptomatic management. In one patient who did not cooperate in functional exercise, adhesion occurred and normal function was recovered after by manual dissolution under conditions of anesthesia after 3 months of operation. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean 16.6 months). The range of motion of knee joint was 105-140° (mean 121°). According to Lysholm scale of knee joint, the score was 72-100 points (mean 93.6 points) 6 months after operation. The X-ray film showed no signs of osteoarthritis. Conclusion Arthroscopic percutaneous osteosynthesis yields satisfactory results and can be accepted as an alternative and effective method for the treatment of low-energy tibial plateau fractures.